Fruit-display box.



PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

G. E. MILLER. FRUIT DISPLAY BOX.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1905.

Witnesses A'ttorn eys.

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GEORGE E. MILLER, OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR' OF ONE- HALF TO EDWARD L. PEQUEGNAT, OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

FRUIT-DISPLAY BOX.'

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1..06.

A fi ti fil d May 31, 1905- Serial No. 263,049.

To all whom it may concern.-

Bel it known that I, GEORGE E. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Riverside,'in the county of Riverside and State of California, have invented a new and useful Fruit-Display Box, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to display-baskets for exhibiting fruit in grocery-stores or fruitstands.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and thoroughly effective device for the purpose designed in which any bruising or mashing of the fruit will be positively obviated, in which a box will always have the appearance of being filled until practically empty, and in which the fruit shall be thoroughly ventilated while in the box, thereby to retain it in the best possible condition.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in a novel construction and combination of parts of a fruit-display box, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a fruit-display box constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical transverse section, showing more particularly the internal mechanism hidden from view in Fig. 1.

The structure embodies a supportingframe, (designated generally 1,) a fruit-container or box combined therewith and designated generally 2, and a bottom or fruit-elevating element, (designated generally 3.)

The supporting-frame embodies four uprights 4, to which the box 2 is secured, and are, as shown in Fig. 2, by preferencedisposed on the inner sides of the box and on the corners thereof in order to be hidden as much as possible from view and are .connected and braced by pairs of cross-pieces 5 and 6. The latter pair of cross-pieces 6 support a baseboard 7, upon which is arranged a block 8, having an aperture through which projects a tubular standard 9, having at intervals in its length any desired number of orifices, as 10, which are designed to supply air to the contents of the box, and thus keep them in the best possible condition, the lower end of the standard being open, as shown at Fig. 2, to permit free ingress of air.

The bottom 3 consists of a runner or support 11, which, as shown in Fig. 2, is substantially commensurate in width with the interior of the box, but is of less length, and is provided intermediate of its ends with an orifice through which projects the standard 9. Secured upon the runner 11 is a frame 12, which is of a size to fit snugly within the box, and secured to the frame is a fabric covering 14, preferably of canvas, which, in effect, constitutes the fruit-supporting surface, the object of which is to shield the fruit from bruising when resting thereon.

Surrounding the standard is a coiled spring 15, one end of which bears upon the block 8 and the other end of which bears against the under side of the runner 11, and this spring operates normally to hold the bottom raised to a point adjacent to the upper edge of the box. To support the standard in a vertical position, there is a frame or bail provided,

consisting of two uprights 16, secured to the inner side of the ends of the box and connected by a cross-piece 17. Secured to the under side of the cross-piece intermediate of its ends is a block 18, which is orificed to receive the upper end of the standard 9, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. T 0 limit the downward movement of the bottom, there are stops 19, provided at the four corners of the box.

In the use ofthe device fruit is placed upon the bottom, and as its weight increases it will overcome the resistance of the spring and permit the bottom to sink until it rests upon the stops 19. As the fruit is removed, thus diminishing the Weight upon the bottom, the latter is gradually forced upward by the spring, thereby giving the box the appearance of being filled until the last layer of fruit has been removed. While the fruit is in the box it will be thoroughly ventilated laterally by air discharging through the orifices 10, thus keeping the fruit in the best possible condition so long as it remains in the device.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is-- 1. A fruit-display box including a springpressed bottom and a guide-standard therefor constituting a ventilator.

2. A fruit-display box including a springpressed bottom, a yielding fruit-supporting surface combined therewith, and means for guiding the bottom and ventilating the fruit tained Within the box, and means for limiting contained Within the box. the downward movement of the bottom.

3. A fruit-display box including a tubular In testimony that I claim the foregoing as standard provided With orifices, a spring surmy own I have hereto affixed my signature in 5 rounding the standard, and a bottom guided the presence of two Witnesses.

by the standard and resting upon the sp ring.

4. A fruit-display boX including a spring- GEORGE MILLER pressed bottom, a yielding fruit-supporting Witnesses: surface combined therewith, means for guid- RODERICK MoKENzIE,

1o ing the bottom and ventilating the fruit con- HUGH SIGEL RAYBURN 

